Offense

Alex Smith had difficulty locating open receivers beyond Vernon Davis, whom he found for deftly thrown touchdown passes of 73 and 28 yards. As a result, the 49ers were 1-for-13 on third down, their lone conversion coming on a desperation pass at the end of regulation. The wide receivers? Did they play? Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams combined for one catch for 3 yards on nine targets. Frank Gore (119 total yards) ran hard and effectively.

Defense

If not for punt-return fumbles, they still might be playing the NFC Championship Game. The Giants scored 10 points in the second half and overtime on drives of 29 and 11 yards, set up by special-teams gaffes. On their other six drives in the second half and overtime, they managed six punts, three on three-and-out series. Carlos Rogers recovered nicely after being abused by Victor Cruz in the first two quarters and even got an assist from linebacker Patrick Willis, who made a game-saving deflection on a pass to Cruz late in the fourth quarter. Ray McDonald had 2 1/2 of the 49ers' six sacks. NaVorro Bowman had a game-high 13 tackles.

Special Teams

Subbing for the injured Ted Ginn Jr., Williams' punt-return fumbles in the fourth quarter and overtime led to the Giants' final 10 points. Williams' fumbles were the only turnovers San Francisco had this season on special teams. Andy Lee averaged 45.5 yards on his 10 punts, and David Akers drilled two of his four touchbacks to San Mateo.

Coaching

After Cruz burned the secondary for eight catches and 125 yards in the first half, the 49ers adjusted and silenced him - and Eli Manning - in the final two quarters and overtime. With the passing game a wreck and the field conditions less than ideal, Jim Harbaugh might regret his decision not to go completely blue-collar on the Giants, who allowed 150 yards on 28 carries. Gore, Kendall Hunter (four carries, 31 yards) and Smith (six for 42) ran effectively.

OVERALL

The 49ers picked an inopportune time to deliver one of their more ragged performances on offense and special teams. The defense, as it had been all season, was Super Bowl-caliber. A wide receiver should be near the top of S.F.'s offseason wish list.